Data Security Mistakes to Avoid

If you run a business, you are probably aware of the importance of maintaining proper data security. With the amount of personal information that companies have access to, protecting your data from cyber attackers is key. Even if you have a strong security system, there are still data security mistakes that are commonly made. Be sure you do not fall victim to these common data security mistakes in your business.

One common mistake is having lax email policies. More often than not, unencrypted data is sent through emails without a second thought. This information can than be accessed through cell phones or home computers. In order to properly combat this problem, make sure emails send encrypted data and limit the ways to access the sensitive information. In addition, employees often access their personal emails through the company’s server. Their home email account is often less secure and therefore more easily hacked than the work email.

Another common mistake is failing to insure valuable data. When a data breach occurs, it can often be devastatingly expensive. For example, the Ponemon Institute reported that the average cost of a data breach has increased by 15% in 2013 reach an average of $3.5 million. A small business is even more at risk as high costs such as these often lead to the company going out of business. Therefore, it is important to insure all of the valuable and critical data.

While most are aware of the importance of strong passwords and the use of usernames, some businesses fail to properly manage these security measures. It is important that employees must create new passwords often to maintain security. Also, if employees can gain access to multiple vital systems with the same password, all it takes is for one person to get their hands on the password and suddenly they have access to a plethora of information. Finally, transparency at the first sign of a data breach is vital. It may seem a good idea to not disclose a data breach to customers but failing to do so makes it extremely difficult to rebuild the trust of customers and win them back.

Make sure that your business has the proper data security it needs to prevent any problems.